Online Reporter
Sione Amidu, [email protected]
Female councillors from Insiza Rural District Council could barely contain their excitement following the recent handover of motorbikes aimed at improving their mobility and enhancing service delivery in their wards.
The 11 female councillors were part of 23 councillors who received the motorbikes valued at USD$54 832.
The initiative is part of the local authority’s thrust to support the monitoring of key Government programmes, to enhance mobility, and improve service delivery in remote areas.
Female councillors in rural areas have often faced challenges in accessing the furthest parts of their wards due to long distances and rugged terrains.
Local authorities have become a key arena for women’s leadership.
Women in leadership often face heightened scrutiny, gender-based discrimination, and the burden of balancing public responsibilities with societal expectations. Tough terrain and limited access to campaign resources have also disproportionately affected female candidates.
Despite these hurdles, the narrative is one of resilience and progress. Younger generations of women are increasingly stepping into leadership roles, inspired by those who paved the way. Civil society organisations and advocacy groups continue to push for gender equality, mentorship and capacity building, ensuring that the pipeline of women leaders remains strong.
Today, Zimbabwe’s political and administrative landscape reflects a more diverse and representative leadership.
Women are no longer on the margins; they are at the table, shaping their communities and nation’s future.
One of the recipients of the motorbikes, Ward 6 Councillor Thabiso Ncube, expressed appreciation for the support, pledging to use the motorbikes to engage with villagers and monitor service delivery.
“I want to thank the CEO, and our chairman for their efforts. I will use the motorbike to monitor programmes and attend council meetings promptly, contributing to the development of Insiza.
“Our district is very big, travelling from one point to the other and attending council meetings has been a difficult task for us. The coming of these motorbikes will bridge the gap and make our work easy,” she said.
Ward 23 Councillor Nomusa Moyo, also commended Insiza Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Mr Shepherd Tshuma and the administration team, promising to use the motorbikes effectively for the benefit of her community.
“We are very grateful to be part of this huge milestone, with an increasing number of women taking leadership roles in governance and joining local authorities. We have been facing a lot of challenges, especially with moving from point A to point B.
“We are going to use these motorbikes effectively for the benefit of our communities. No place and no one will be left behind because we are now mobile. Emergencies and meetings will be attended to with urgency,” she said.
The motorbikes were procured using devolution funds and locally generated revenue and handed over to the councillors by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe.
The local authority also procured a fire tender, an excavator, road equipment and 33 tablets.
A new boardroom at Insiza RDC was also commissioned.
Minister Garwe said the equipment directly supports President Mnangagwa’s call for uncompromising service delivery and responds to gaps identified under the Government’s minimum service delivery standards framework.
“We have 92 local authorities in the country which were created to provide services to people and to serve communities, not for the people to serve local authorities,” he said.
The distances between the wards in Insiza had long hindered councillors’ mobility to spearhead development projects.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Insiza Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Mr Shepherd Tshuma said the motorbikes were strictly for official use and should not be sold or used for personal purposes.
He urged the councillors to use them responsibly to enhance service delivery.
“Use these bicycles effectively to strengthen your council duties, including revenue mobilisation and the monitoring of critical government programmes. These motorbikes are for council work. I urge you to use them to raise awareness among people; they are not for sale,” he said.
Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, said the development is ultimately leading to improved service delivery and connectivity in the communities. He said it clearly demonstrates the firm commitment of the Government to progress and sustainable development in communities.
“The motorbikes being commissioned today will empower our councillors by enabling them to reach their constituencies more efficiently, ensuring that every voice is heard and every concern is addressed. This again aligns with the Government’s commitment to inclusive governance and improved service delivery.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Second Republic, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, for introducing the Devolution Agenda, which has enabled Insiza Rural District Council to procure a Red Lion fire engine.
“All 10 local authorities in the province now have fire engines and have established fire wings responsible for responding to emergencies. This development has significantly improved the province’s level of preparedness and response to emergency situations,” he said.
As Zimbabwe continues its journey, the rise of women in leadership stands as both an achievement and a reminder — true independence is not only about sovereignty, but about inclusivity, equality, and the empowerment of all citizens.
